Sunday night wrap: That Luck kid, pretty good

Colts rookie Andrew Luck seems like the kind of quarterback who’s not going to let a bad pass or a bad quarter or a bad game rattle him.

But he also showed there are a few things he has to work on in the Colts’ 26-24 loss to Pittsburgh.

Luck has a degree of polish many passers do not have when they walk in the door. But he also hasn’t seen the things he will see, and that was evident in the early going against the Steelers.

His second interception was off the hands of rookie wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, and obviously not his fault. The first, however, was all him. Luck zoomed in on his receiver, didn’t drive off his back foot and it was picked off by Ike Taylor and returned for a touchdown.

It’s the kind of pass he has to avoid making, as he doesn’t have the kind of elite arm strength to get away with such mistakes. That’s not to say he’s noodle-armed. His arm is sufficient. Not great, but strong enough, and coupled with his smarts, should enable him to be quite good.

But he’s young. The mistakes will happen.

But the fact he led touchdown drives after each of the picks shows he’s got a little something about him. He was 8-of-9 for 96 yards passing after the second one. That’s amnesia, and that’s special for a kid his age.

Here are some other things we learned on Sunday Night Football.

1. The league can say whatever it wants about the quality of replacement officials.

But even if they’re able to cram the rulebook the way I did for college exams and spit it back for the short term, there are important things they aren’t proving able to do.

First and foremost is executing the player-safety function of the job.

When Colts wide receiver Austin Collie left the game in the first half after taking a shot to the head from linebacker Larry Foote, but that was the first. Cornerback Ike Taylor got him high as well. If it’s a concussion, it’s four in the last two years for Collie.

Those are the shots the real refs are now conditioned to be vigilant for, and the replacements aren’t getting it done.

Maybe he should hurry, because the Steelers didn’t exactly look like they missed him.

The Steelers have already given Antonio Brown a spite contract in Wallace’s absence, then started funneling the ball his way.

Brown’s 57-yard touchdown catch-and-run, on national television, is the kind of thing that could get Wallace packing a bag and heading to Pittsburgh sooner rather than later.

3. Veteran Colts wideout Reggie Wayne’s going to move around more than he ever has this year, and he can still be a dangerous weapon.

It’s just going to take some time getting used to watching him go in motion.

The Colts don’t have the kind of protection and overall talent to go toe-to-toe with teams, so they’re going to have to use personnel groups and formations to mix it up.

And if Wayne’s willing to do stuff he’s never had to do before, that’s just part of the mix.

4. Speaking of that talent: Other than Wayne, the Colts receivers aren’t much to look at. But their tight ends could be something.

In Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, they have a pair of players who could grow with Luck for years.

They’re smart to give him safe options in the passing game since he doesn’t have much on the outside.

5. Chuck Pagano’s striking the right note with this whole “Build the Monster,” thing he’s selling, passing out shirts with the slogan and the Colts at the bottom of a power ranking.

NFL teams are so evenly clumped that you can get from bad to decent in a hurry. Usually if it was bad enough for a coaching change, the holdovers are disgruntled and looking for an attitude change too. Picking a fight with anyone (media, opponent, the man) is a sure way to rally the troops.

The Colts aren’t going to the playoffs, but they could be better. Having an edge can be worth three or four wins.

6. Get well soon, Max Starks.

The Steelers need you.

Rookie left tackle Mike Adams might get ready at some point. That point is not now.

7. The Florio Research Network points out that Adam Vinatieri’s 53-yard field goal before the half was a new Heinz Field record by a yard. The old mark of 52 was held by Jeff Reed.

9. Sometimes it takes lower-case L luck. The Colts had a special teams meeting in the backfield, and the game-winning field goal by the Steelers still crept across. No real explanation, and the grin on Mike Tomlin’s face said it all.

The funny thing is the Redskins drafted the 2nd best QB in the draft, it just wasn’t RGIII. Cousins will be starter be week 8. Luck will be NFL MVP by 2015. And every wrestler you’ve chosen blows compared to the greatest of them all, Bret “The Hitman” Hart. Best there was, best there is, best there ever will be.

Hey troll, stop posting under different wrestler names and personas. Only shows you have no life, and zero to little football knowledge.

As for Luck, he look really well, it honestly looked like the Steelers were “grabby” on a few plays, and got away with it. Luck looks promising, but its only the preseason, no actual game planning for the other teams.

You guys do know that preseason accomplishments don’t count as “records,” right?
What next? A Preseason Fantasy Football League?
It’s no wonder casual fans get all geeked up for meaningless, exhibition games that feature future truck drivers.

Good Article. As a long time Colt’s fan, I have a tough time with the “Not an elite arm” judgement after the kid’s second pre-season game. Peyton threw 28 INT’s his rookie season and went 3-13 but look at the boy now! As far as the dirth of WR’s you talk about; some of these rookie wide-outs will make the final roster. With Luck throwing to them, I think you will be amazed at how good some of them become.

stonecoldsays says:
Aug 19, 2012 11:27 PM
RGIII is the much better player. My opinion was validated tonight, as it will be next week and beyond.Cue the detractors, wannabes etc.
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RGIII is the much better player. My opinion was validated tonight, as it will be next week and beyond.Cue the detractors, wannabes etc.
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yeah, because RGIII played error free right? seriously, why do you feel the need to be a troll? At this point, both look like quality prospects. Time will tell what kind of QBs they ultimately become.

I watched part of this game then caught the highlights on ESPN: I didn’t realize this when I was watching live, but I have to assume from ESPN’s coverage that Ike Taylor was the only Steeler to suit up for the game. I thought two quarterbacks were going to play tonight (one of whom has to Super Bowl rings), but I guess this was just a scrimmage of sorts for Andrew Luck. Thank goodness The Mothership is around to determine what is important in the world.

Oline looked awful. Secondary looked bad, congrats luck gave Taylor a lob pass. Hailey offense looked awful too, oh and you have no running game. This team was swept and Tebowd last year. Until they prove they’re relevant, they simply are basement dwellers. Good luck fighting with Cleveland to not be the laughing stock of the AFCN. Oh did I mention they can’t pay their star wr because their GM already paid a bunchof aging over the hill players, sucks